Clark County NV Archives Obituaries.....WERNER, Albert January 16, 1923
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net March 6, 2005, 11:04 pm

Las Vegas Age - 1/20/1923
HEAD ON COLLISION TAKES FOUR LIVES



UNFORTUNATE MEN, RIDING IN GONDOLA CAR, TERRIBLY MANGLED IN THE WRECK



    Arthur V. NELSON, aged 26, of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Elmer WIMBER, 25, 

Pleasant Grove, Utah; and T. S. HARL, aged about 40, were instantly killed, 

and Albert WERNER of Pleasant Grove, Utah, so badly crushed that he died 24 

hours later, in a head-on collision of extra freights No. 6050, east bound 

and No. 2725, west bound, at Valley siding, nine miles east of Las Vegas, 

Monday, January 15, about 10:30 a.m.

    It appears that the east bound train had orders to take the siding at 

Valley to clear the track for the west bound train which had the right of 

way.  At the location of the siding the grade rises toward the east, and the 

engineer decided to run by the siding and back in to save the difficulty of 

stopping and starting again at the west end of the siding.  Before this 

train had gone far enough for the rear end to clear the east switch, it 

broke in two.  A flagman immediately went forward to flag the approaching 

west bound freight.  The flag was seen by the engineer, but too short a 

distance remained in which to stop the train and the two engines came 

together.

    The four men who lost their lives were in the front end of a steel 

gondola car, C. & A. 40415, which was loaded with lumber, and was the first 

car of the east bound train.  When the crash came, the lumber shifted to the 

front of the car, catching the unfortunate men between it and the end of the 

car.  The tender of the engine was forced upwards and crashed down upon the 

front of the gondola, still further mangling the victims.

    Albert WERNER, the only one of the four men in the car to escape instant 

death, was taken from the wreckage and brought to the railroad hospital in 

this city.  One foot had been crushed of.  Realizing that he had only a 

short time to live he asked to be taken to his home at Pleasant Grove, Utah, 

to die.  He was taken on No. 4 Tuesday morning but died when the train was 

near Caliente.

    It was with much difficulty that the bodies of the other victims were 

released from the wreckage, it being necessary at last to secure an 

acetyline torch from the shops here and cut away the side of the steel car. 

The bodies were so terribly crushed and mangled as to be almost beyond 

identification.

    Coroner LILLIS called a coroner's jury consisting of T. M. CARROLL, H. 

J. WOODARD and R. E. LAKE, Sr., and an inquest was held Tuesday.  The 

verdict was in accordance with the facts as set forth above.

    Witnesses examined by the coroner were Joe L. McQUADE, conductor, east 

bound; C. O. WILKASON, brakeman, east bound; Harry H. VENAMON, conductor, 

west bound; John P. RICHARDS, brakeman, west bound; E. M. TARTAR, engineer, 

west bound; Dr. T. L. BROCK, who was called to the scene of the wreck and 

testified as to the releasing of the bodies; Dr. C. E. BULETTE, who also was 

called to the scene of the wreck; and W. I. ROBERTS, undertaker.

    The crew of Extra 6050, east bound were Joe L. McQUADE, conductor; 

BRADFORD, engineer; QUAY, fireman; WILKASON and WALTERS, brakmen.  Extra 

2725, west bound, was manned by H. H. VENAMON, conductor; E. M. TARTAR, 

engineer; SMITH, fireman; RICHARDS, brakeman.

    The body of Arthur V. NELSON was shipped to Pleasant Grove, Utah.  The 

body of Elmer WIMBER was claimed by a brother who arrived from Elko, Nev., 

last evening.  There is also another brother living in Castle Gate, Utah.

    T. S. HARL wore a ring engraved with the letters U.S.M.C. indicating 

that he had been a member of the Marine Corps.  Coroner LILLIS and other 

officials have communicated with the department but have been unable to get 

any information as to his relatives or friends.  His body is being held at 

the undertaking parlors.

    The body of Albert WERNER who died on the train while endeavoring to 

reach home and friends, was taken on to Utah.









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